Process Parameters Optimisation and Numerical Simulation of Laser Beam Welded Butt Joints of Maraging Steel

Maraging steels are ultra-high strength iron nickel-based alloys which are used in military applications like rocket motor casings, missiles, and ship hulls. In the current work, maraging steels of 250 grade butt joints with 2 mm thickness are welded by using Nd:YAG laser. The experiments were designed and conducted using the L16 orthogonal array. Various welding parameters selected for the current work are laser power, welding speed, and focal position, whereas tensile strength, hardness and depth of penetration were considered as the output responses. The influence of process variables on weld bead morphology was analysed experimentally. The microstructure, mechanical characteristics and numerical analysis of the optimum joint were also investigated. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the effect of different variables on tensile strength and depth of penetration. According to the results, laser power and welding speed are essential factors for tensile strength. The depth of penetration is strongly influenced by welding speed, focal position, and laser power. In order to predict the weld bead, finite element analysis was performed on ABAQUS 3D finite element software. The results reveal that finite element simulation and experimental observations are matched.